Car in excellent interior and exterior condition upon purchase. Previous owner kept all records. Previous owner changed "A" and "B" pipes on exhaust system (rusted), multiple wheel bearings, and resolved significant brake issues, in addition to timing belt, muffler and water pump replacements.
My Repairs:
The cost of all of these repairs would have been much higher if performed at Honda dealerships, using Honda OEM replacement parts. An estimate of Dealer cost is given following each repair.
New parts installed immediately upon purchase: Clutch, distributor (distributes electricity to spark plugs, often faulty on these Civics), spark plugs, spark plug wires, fuel filter, air filter - all at 224,500.
Cost: $1,200CDN
Estimated Dealer Cost: A clutch alone is nearly $1000CDN; Total Cost: $2000.
Slave cylinder seized, unable to engage clutch; car stopped on the road - replaced at 226,500.
It Would have been $500 dollars for a new slave cylinder, plus installation, but was able to get a used one installed.
Cost: $115CDN, plus tow.
Estimated Dealer Cost: $600.
Battery, once replaced, absolutely dead. Admittedly a common problem - replaced at 227,000.
Cost: $80CDN
Dealer Cost: Same.
Radiator eaten through with rust, smell of burning coolant throughout the car - replaced at 228,500.
Cost: $300CDN
Dealer Cost: $400CDN.
Water pump faulty, coolant spilled all over my driveway; replaced timing belt at the same time - done at 232,000
Cost: $400CDN
Dealer Cost: Timing belt along is nearly $700CDN; Total Cost: $1000.
Fuel line rusted, faulty. Fuel dripping out from under the car near the fuel tank. Usually an expensive repair, but was able to get my mechanic to fix it by hand without purchasing any new parts. Replaced at 233,000
Cost: $60CDN
Dealer Cost: $250.
Right front wheel bearing faulty; already replaced once by previous owner. Replaced at 236,000
Cost: $250CDN
Dealer Cost: Same.
Right rear disk brake caliper seized;
Needed new rotor, 2 sets of brake pads, and caliper - replaced at 242,000
Cost: $500CDN
Dealer Cost: $800.
Severe electrical problem. At first was diagnosed as a faulty distributor, which, if you recall, was replaced upon purchase of the car. Then diagnosed as a faulty computer, usually a rare occurrence in Japanese automobiles. Likely also a wiring problem somewhere in the wiring harness near the firewall on the drivers side. Car will not start, no power to the spark plugs or fuel pump. Apparently this is not a unique situation with a '92 Civic.
Cost: Already $1000CDN, problem still not resolved, automobile at mechanic's. This includes 4 hours labor, a tow, and used computer.
Dealer Cost: An OEM Honda computer costs $1,300, plus installation. Total Cost: $2000+, assuming the problem can be resolved.
Total monies spent in 13 months of ownership on repairs: $3,905CDN
Potential costs if repairs had been performed at a Dealership: $7,380
Number of times at mechanic's: No less than 8
Does car run?: No
Would the car run if the repairs had been performed at a Honda Dealership?: No
Would I be bankrupt: Yes.
I still esteem Honda's very highly. I have friends with 500,000km on their Honda's, and knew of one who had 630,000 on his 93 Civic, with very few repairs. Their engines were flawless, and the cars held up very well in general, with periodic re-paintings.
This Honda has not been in any accidents, apart from a very small surface dent in the side and some contact with a curb, both my fault. The original clear-coat is beautiful, and the blue paint looks great, after 13 years. The interior is fantastic. I have rust-proofed the car twice, and the previous owner did so upon his original purchase.
The car ran for 3 months, once. Apart from that, it has been a mechanical disaster. I believe that at 242,500km, a top-of-the-line Honda should not experience these many problems.
I would, and probably will, purchase a newer Honda in the future, perhaps the near future if this car cannot be repaired at reasonable cost. I had looked forward to driving this car to 500,000km if possible, but have been very disappointed.
Your review sound a little bit strange.
If it is a disappointment, why you would buy another?
I have a similar problem with my 1992 honda civic. One day I step out the car to put money on the meter. The car stop and I Owe it for much less than a year. The mechanic did a tune-up and later told me I need a distributor. I put a districutor in Juanuary than late March the same problem occured. It look like the spark plug were not getting juice so the mechanics changed the distributor. Put a new distributor and the start, but wasn't getting gas. The mechanics stated the fuel injector are not spraying, probably the car computer. I wondering since this a 1992 Civic is it worth it to get it running? I heard the car computer cost a lot of $$$.
I have owned two 1992 civics, and have not experienced these problems. The first, an LX, was purchased August 17, 1997 with 179 000 kilometers, and the list of repairs I had to do is as follows:
Windshield washer pump - $17, labour included
Alternator - $350 (I had a friend install it)
Rear door handle - $80 (it worked, I left the car locked, it didn't work.)
I sold the LX in June 2004 with 398 000 kilometers. The above list of repairs does not include routine maintenance, such as timing belt replacement or oil changes.
I currently drive a 1992 Civic EX-V. In nearly a year of driving this car, I have enjoyed the responsive engine and the improved handling dynamics over other civic models. The car has 256 000 kilometers on it, and I did have one repair: the brake booster. Overall, this is a great car, I would buy another if I could find one.
My 1992 Honda Civic has a lot of power loss, I don't know why. I have had the fuel pump put in it and fuel injectors and a oxygen sensor. When I drive it it feels like its bogging down.
I am the second owner of a 1992 Civic EX-V (Bought in 1996 with just over 100,000 km). The cra now has 272,000 km and has performed well for me. Only repairs other than timing belts, brakes, clutch (at 250,000 km) have been replacement muffler and radiator. Other than minor things (A/C had of course worn out) like lights going off on dashboard and broken glove box I think it's been a great car.
Take a look at your cat. converter after the exhaust manifold, Sometimes this can ge clogged and bog down the engine.
I own a 90 civic. Had a distributor problem, way back when. Had it replaced, and it went bad again.
Enter new dealer: This guy happily told me the distributor was on recall. New Honda dealer fixed the problem (for good) and reimbursed me $500. I've been going back ever since.
I owned a 92 Civic and loved the car to death, she was my baby. However on the way home from work one day my car decided to just shut down in the middle of the street. But it wasn't my battery because everything was still working so I had to have my car towed to the dealership and they said that it was the computer. To replace this computer would be more than the car was worth itself. So my dad went to the junk yard and found the car part from another 92 civic for 200 and just replaced it himself. Then about a month later it was a rainy day and the car in front of me had to slam on his breaks and so did I am mine decided to lock. and I slammed into the back of him and totaled my car. through it all lm little honda saved my life because it was so durrible. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.
1992 Honda Civic EX-V
230,000 km.
I received the vehicle as a gift. I think the car had been sitting outside for months. Typical rust in rear wheel wells - spread throughout the side wheel wells under the paint job. Initially, the vehicle overheated, brakes gave out, and CV Joint made tons of noise. Minor things include: broken dimmer switch & non-existent A/C. The engine and transmission run fine (manual). These are the repairs I have done to it so far:
- replaced brake master cylinder (quite leaky)
- replaced 2 front rotors & pads (front brakes seized)
- replaced rusty rad & thermostat (also the top hose)
- replaced both CV sleeves (if exposed too long, dirt can get in and make it unsafe to drive)
Did it through a local mechanic - parts alone cost roughly $1,100.00 CAN (not including labor & tax). Post-repairs, the car runs quite well - I hope that I can squeeze another 100K out of it. This is the 3rd Honda that I've owned (2001 Accord LX-V6 & 1999 Honda Civic SE) - this 92 Civic still hauls (125 hp VTECH), Hondas are definately dependable IF you take care of them.
My 1992 Honda Civic has a lot of power loss, I don't know why. I have had the fuel pump put in it and fuel injectors and a oxygen sensor. When I drive it, it feels like it's bogging down.
If it's an auto, get the cooling system looked at. This is what the garage did to mine; no more bogging down.
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